A catastrophic fire at Club Pulse in Kočani, North Macedonia, on March 16, 2025, has resulted in the deaths of 59 people, with more than 150 others injured. The fire, which broke out during a concert featuring hip-hop duo DNK, quickly spread due to on-stage pyrotechnics igniting flammable ceiling materials, causing panic and chaos inside the overcrowded venue.
Timeline of the Fire
-
Time of Incident: The fire erupted at approximately 2:35 AM local time, during a live music performance.
-
Cause: Pyrotechnic effects from the stage ignited the ceiling, leading to rapidly spreading flames and thick smoke.
-
Evacuation Chaos: The club was packed with over 500 attendees, double its legal capacity. With only one main exit, a stampede ensued, trapping many inside.
-
Emergency Response: Firefighters arrived within minutes, but by then, flames had engulfed most of the venue. Many victims succumbed to smoke inhalation or burns before they could escape.
Casualties and Identified Victims
Deceased Individuals (Confirmed so far):
-
Andrej Gjorgieski (Lead Singer of DNK)
-
Aleksandar Efremov (Photographer)
-
Sara Projkovska (Backing Singer)
-
Gjorgji Gjorgiev (Drummer)
-
Filip Stevanovski (Keyboard Player)
-
Andrej Lazarov (25-year-old professional soccer player for FC Shkupi, who died attempting to rescue others)
-
Stefania Aleksova, a student at the American University in Bulgaria
-
Unnamed police officer, who was on duty at the club during the fire
Injured Individuals:
-
Marija Taseva (19), a survivor who lost her sister in the fire.
-
Over 150 people suffered injuries, with many in critical condition, requiring treatment in hospitals across Kočani, Štip, and Skopje.
Investigations and Arrests
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the nightclub's operations:
-
Licensing Issues: The club was found to be operating without a valid license.
-
Overcrowding: The venue had over 500 guests, twice its legal capacity.
-
Negligence Charges: 15 individuals, including government officials and the club’s management, have been detained on corruption and safety negligence charges.
-
Lack of Fire Safety: Reports suggest no working fire suppression system was in place, contributing to the rapid spread of flames.